Newslinks for Friday 26th February 2016

Michael Howard: Cameron’s reform bid has failed, it’s time to leave the EU

“There is only one thing that just might shake Europe’s leaders out of their complacency: the shock of a vote by the British people to leave. The very facts that make it certain that the UK could thrive as an independent country – we are the fifth largest economy in the world, the most important military power in Europe and the country with by far the most stable and deep-rooted institutions – make us very valuable members of the EU. We would be sorely missed.” – Daily Telegraph

Penny Mordaunt: Britain will thrive outside the EU

“If Britain leaves the EU it will be more in sorrow than in anger. Quiet voices will hear our news. The best of them will receive it in silence and sadness. They will understand that, from time to time, the oldest, most stable and most successful country in Europe has a duty to remind a European Union barely 50 years old that government is the servant, and not the master, of the people.” – Daily Telegraph

This is not just a Tory debate, Labour Leave call for progressive Brexit – Kate Hoey, News Letter

The many who want out of Europe deserve to be listened to – John Harris, The Guardian

If arch-Europhile Lord Owen wants out, we should all take notice – Fraser Nelson, Daily Telegraph

Lefty outers like me see first-hand how this vote is muddying tribal certainties – Giles Fraser, The Guardian

Project Fear looks more like mafia blackmail – Melanie Phillips, The Times (£)

Patel urges companies to hire ex-cons

“Employment minister Priti Patel has told companies to employ ex-offenders to help the Government achieve its radical programme of rehabilitating prisoners. She said it was vital that ex-convicts were able to ‘leave their past behind bars’ and told employers that they had a responsibility to create a ‘better society’.” – Daily Mail

Adonis warns that UK will be a ‘laughing stock’ if airport decision is delayed again

“Britain will become a “laughing stock” unless a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick gets the green light this year, the Government’s infrastructure tsar warned tonight. Ex-Labour peer Lord Adonis, wooed by George Osborne to make sure the UK has enough roads, railways and other key services, urged dithering ministers to make their minds up.” – The Sun

Labour more dependent on unions under Corbyn

“More than 80 per cent of Labour’s donations came from trade unions – drawing criticism that the party remained in hock to powerful left-wing firebrands such as Len McCluskey, whose Unite union donated nearly £900,000 in the three-month period. The proportion of Labour’s income coming from the unions shot up by more than 50 per cent since Mr Corbyn was elected leader in September.” – Daily Mail

Donations to Labour are half what they were under Miliband – Daily Telegraph

Philip Collins: Only you can stop the swivel-eyed activists

“In Britain, Tory members will, one unappointed day before 2019, select the next prime minister. If Jeremy Corbyn does admit to the rest of us what he knows himself, which is that he hates being leader of the Labour party, the job of leader of the opposition might be available too. The members will resolve battles between Labour MPs fighting to survive when the boundary review deprives the party of 24 seats. Members of political parties have never been more powerful. Yet there has never been fewer of them.” – The Times (£)

Carswell could be expelled from UKIP over ‘Vote Leave’ backing

“Sky News understands senior figures in UKIP have discussed trying to suspend the party’s only MP over his backing for a rival leave the EU group. Douglas Carswell supports Vote Leave, which is also backed by six Conservative cabinet rebels, but Nigel Farage has thrown his weight behind Leave.EU and its umbrella group offshoot Grassroots Out (GO).” – Sky News

Nationalist MP detained by Turkish special forces

“The former SNP MP Natalie McGarry has been detained in Turkey after she was seen recording the sound of falling bombs with her mobile phone. Turkish media reported that the Glasgow East MP had been questioned by Turkish Special Forces in the Sur district of Diyarbakir while on a trip with the GMB trade union.” – The Scotsman

News in Brief:

Greece warns that it will not become the EU’s ‘warehouse of souls’ – Daily Mail

Asian sex abusers to be stripped of passports and deported – The Independent

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